Vice President, Commercial Strategy

Parexel; Annapolis (MD); Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) with Company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Vacation/Holiday/Sick Time

HSA/FSA

Job summary

Parexel is seeking a Vice President, Commercial Strategy to drive new business growth and market positioning from a remote capacity in the United States. You will lead commercial strategy initiatives, analyze market opportunities, guide bid pursuits, and collaborate across sales, operations, and technical functions to win opportunities.

The role requires 15+ years in CRO with client management, plus expertise in RFI/RFP proposals, messaging, and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in CRO or life sciences with client management
• Proven experience crafting commercial messaging and bid content
• Led global cross‑functional teams and strategic initiatives
• Strong understanding of CRO industry and biopharma market
• Proficient with Salesforce, Office suite, and proposal tools
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management

Responsibilities

• Lead bid triage and assess strategic fit with Parexel objectives
• Conduct market and competitive analyses to identify high-value opportunities
• Coach bid teams on RFI/RFP opportunities to differentiate Parexel
• Collaborate with sales, technical, and operations to shape client solutions
• Prepare and position teams for client presentations with strategic messaging
• Share lessons learned from wins/losses to improve bid outcomes
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory developments affecting strategy
• Represent Parexel at industry events to enhance visibility
• Drive internal training on commercial strategy and bid best practices

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Bid Management

Market Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Cross-functional Leadership

RFP/RFI Proposals

Negotiation

Sales Enablement

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or business

Advanced degree (MBA/PhD/MA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Proposal automation tools

Job description

About Parexel

Parexel is a leading global clinical development partner delivering insights-driven clinical and consulting solutions to the life sciences industry. With 22,000+ employees worldwide, we partner with biopharmaceutical companies and research sites to design and deliver patient-focused clinical trials that broaden access and make research a care option for anyone, anywhere.

We work with focus, agility, and shared purpose -- moving with urgency to address patient needs and accelerate the delivery of new therapies. We embrace bold thinking, adapt quickly to change, and continually raise the bar for the speed and quality of clinical research. We are expanding our team and seeking talented individuals to help drive industry-leading innovation, With Heart(R).

About the Role

We are seeking a Vice President, Commercial Strategy to join our team in a remote capacity. As Vice President, Commercial Strategy, you will drive new business growth and strategic market positioning for Parexel by leading commercial strategy initiatives, analyzing market opportunities, and guiding high-impact bid pursuits. This position plays a critical role in shaping Parexel's competitive positioning, enhancing client relationships, and accelerating revenue growth. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams across sales, operations, and technical functions, leverage industry insights to identify strategic opportunities, and contribute to business development from opportunity identification through successful award.

You'll join a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment focused on making a meaningful impact through strategic commercial initiatives, client relationship development, and competitive market analysis. With diverse teams and continuous learning opportunities, the Vice President, Commercial Strategy can expand influence across the organization and drive transformational business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in bid triage discussions to evaluate incoming opportunities, assess strategic fit, and align pursuits with corporate objectives

• Conduct comprehensive market and competitive analysis to identify, qualify, and prioritize high-value opportunities that align with Parexel's capabilities and growth strategy

• Provide expert guidance and coaching to bid teams on high-profile RFI and RFP opportunities, ensuring competitive and compelling sales messaging that differentiates Parexel and drives successful outcomes

• Collaborate closely with sales teams, technical experts, and operational colleagues to understand client requirements, assess opportunity scope, and develop winning strategies

• Prepare bid teams for client presentations and interactions through constructive feedback and strategic positioning to maximize Parexel's competitive advantage

• Extract and disseminate lessons learned from wins and losses across the organization to continuously improve commercial effectiveness and bid pursuit outcomes

• Monitor industry trends, policy changes, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies that may impact Parexel's market positioning and competitive strategy

• Participate in bid pursuits and client engagements as needed to strengthen relationships and represent Parexel's strategic capabilities

• Represent Parexel at industry conferences and events to stay informed on market developments, engage with customers, and enhance Parexel's industry visibility

• Lead or participate in internal initiatives to optimize commercial hit rate and enhance bid pursuit effectiveness

• Collaborate with Sales Operations and business leaders on analysis of wins and losses, and development and dissemination of key commercial insights

• Participate in development of training materials and resources on commercial strategy and bid pursuit best practices

Candidate Profile

You'll thrive in this role if you bring:

• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills that inspire confidence and drive engagement

• Advanced negotiation, influencing, and persuasion capabilities with the ability to shape strategy and drive stakeholder alignment

• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence multiple stakeholders across functions to set strategy and oversee successful implementation

• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking with the ability to identify market opportunities and competitive positioning

• Executive presence with the ability to build trusted relationships and interface effectively with external clients and internal employees at all organizational levels

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills combined with creativity and strategic insight

• Collaborative, inclusive, and proactive attitude with demonstrated ability to foster teamwork across diverse teams and drive achievement of goals

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy with strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

• Willingness to travel as needed for the position

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of successful track record in the CRO industry with extensive client management experience and background in senior sales and/or operational roles

• Extensive experience in development of commercial messaging including proposal writing, RFIs, sales and marketing materials, and bid pursuit content

• Proven experience leading and managing global cross-functional teams

• Proficiency with commercial and bid tools and software including Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and proposal or presentation automation platforms

• Superior understanding of commercial strategy messaging, selling with insight, and data-driven methodologies

• Strong knowledge of the CRO industry, the biopharma market, and the products and services that Parexel offers

• General understanding of medical terminology and ICH/GCP

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or business discipline

• Advanced degree in business, science, or related field

• Experience in pharmaceutical medicine or related therapeutic areas

• Demonstrated success in business development or new business pursuits

Benefits and Compensation

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Vacation/Holiday/Sick Time

• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts

• Work/Life Balance

• 401(k) with Company match

• Pet Insurance

For a complete list of benefits, please visit www.parexel.com/us-benefits.

Some roles may also be eligible for additional incentives, bonuses, or other compensation programs. Our Talent Acquisition team will provide details on applicable bonus plans or incentive structures for eligible positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, which includes paid time off, a 401(k) match, life insurance, health insurance, and additional benefit offerings in accordance with the terms of our applicable plans.

We believe in flexibility, growth, and creating space for people to do their best work. Join us and be part of a team where your contributions help shape the future of clinical research.

EEO Disclaimer

Parexel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, which in the US includes race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.